FOOD STORAGE — HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP...

Store at room temperature until ripe — an avocado is ripe when it yields to gentle squeezing.

To ripen faster, put avocado in a brown paper bag on the counter; placing an apple in the bag will speed up the process even more.

Once ripe, refrigerate avocado in plastic bag.

To freeze avocados: (1) Peel and puree avocados; (2) Add to the puree 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice for every avocado used to prevent browning; (3) Place in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.

Freezer time shown is for best quality only — foods kept constantly frozen at 0° F will keep safe indefinitely.